Push-to-insert, push-to-eject and pull-to_extract card connector

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, including a chassis having an opening into which an electrical component is insertable, means for coupling to the electrical component, the means for coupling slidably movable, relative to the chassis, in a first direction generally away from the opening, and in a second direction generally toward the opening to a first position in response to force in the first direction exerted upon the means for coupling, and to a second position in response to force in the first direction exerted upon the means for coupling when the means for coupling is in the first position, wherein the first position is different, with respect to the chassis, than the second position.

PRIORITY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/060,522, entitled PUSH-TO-INSERT, PUSH-TO-EJECT AND PULL-TO-EXTRACTCARD CONNECTOR, filed on Jun. 11, 2008 by inventors Eyal Bychkov, YanivMaydar, Noam Bernstein and Itay Cohen.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention is connectors for electronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The feats of miniaturization are astounding. Given Imaging, Ltd. ofYoqneam, Israel, manufactures a miniature 11 mm×26 mm video camera thatfits inside a pill that is swallowed by a patient. SanDisk Corporationof Milpitas, Calif., manufactures a 16 GB MicroSDHC card having physicaldimensions 15 mm×11 mm×0.7 mm, which is the size of a fingernail.Western Digital Corporation of Lake Forest, Calif. now manufactures a320 GB portable hard drive having physical dimensions 126 mm×79 mm×15mm, which is the size of a passport, and weighs 180 g. Three of thesepassport drives together contain almost a terabyte of data, weighslightly over half a kilogram, and can be held in the palm of one'shand.

Many difficult challenges are encountered when attempting to miniaturizedevices, relating to electronic circuitry, power management, heatgeneration, mechanical structures, and more. Conventional electronic andmechanical components generally require specific amounts of space, andthus limit the ability to miniaturize. As such, miniaturization ofteninvolves developing new components and new designs. Reductions in sizeby as little as 1 mm are often breakthrough achievements inminiaturization.

As miniature electronic devices are often attached to larger devices,they require suitable connector plugs for connecting them to the largerdevices. To make electrical connection, a connector plug is engaged withmetal contact pins housed in a receptacle for the connector.Conventional receptacles have insert and eject mechanisms, for insertinga connector plug into a receptacle and for extracting the connector plugfrom the receptacle, respectively. However, the insert/eject mechanismsimpose limitations on miniaturization, which is one of the challengesthat must be overcome in order to reduce sizes of electronic devices.

One type of conventional receptacle, used for SD cards and memorysticks, uses as a “push-to-insert and push-to-eject” mechanism. Anexample of such a receptacle is the Pitch ExpressCard® Ejector,manufactured and distributed by Molex Incorporated of Lisle, Ill. Forinsertion, a user pushes the card/memory stick into a host device untilit locks into its receptacle, and for extraction, the user again pushesthe card/memory stick into the host device until the lock is releasedand the card/memory stick pops out. Such receptacles require that thecard/memory stick has slack length to span movement of the card/memorystick beyond the locked position. Additionally, in order to enablesufficient force to fully extract the connector plugs from the contactpins of the receptacles, such receptacles generally have a flat padstructure to minimize the friction, resulting in the pad being exposedon the surface of the host device.

It would thus be of advantage to have connectors and receptacles that donot require conventional insert/eject mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to miniaturization of connectorplugs for electronic devices. When attempts are made to reduceelectronic devices to miniature sizes, the small available space makesit impossible or impractical to use many of the conventional mechanicalstructures. Thus challenges arise in finding alternative structures thatrequire less space.

Embodiments of the present invention address the challenge of designingconnector plugs, used for attaching one electronic device to another.Conventional receptacles use insert and eject mechanisms that requireslack space for pushing a connector plug into a receptacle beyond itslocked position, and thus impose limitations on how small a connectorplug may be.

Embodiments of the present invention overcome the need for slack lengthon a connector plug by introducing a moveable receptacle for theconnector plug. Whereas conventional receptacles are rigidly fixed totheir chassis, the moveable receptacle slides, or “floats” in itschassis. The moveable receptacle has mechanical parts including alocking system, a flexible PCB, and a retractable mechanism. Themoveable receptacle is designed so as to have two stationary positions.After the receptacle is pushed for inserting a connector plug therein,the receptacle locks into a first stationary position. After thereceptacle is pushed to extract the connector plug therefrom, thereceptacle rests in a second stationary position. The connector plug isstill attached to and in electrical contact with the receptacle when thereceptacle is in the rest position; however, the device housing theconnector plug protrudes sufficiently so that a person can grasp thedevice and pull it out, thereby disengaging the connector plug from thepins of the receptacle. Such a “push-to-insert, push-to-eject andpull-to-extract” mechanism enables use of shorter connector plugs, byavoiding the need for slack space on the connector plug side, andrequiring slack space only for movement of the receptacle.

Embodiments of the present invention are of advantage to a wide varietyof devices, including inter alia miniature devices, such as small memorycards and small communication cards, that are attached to largerdevices, such as computers, cameras, cell phones and game stations. Oneembodiment of the present invention applies to a miniature wirelesscommunicator that attaches to a container device that provides a userinterface therefor.

There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention an assembly for a receptacle for an electrical connector plug,including a chassis for inserting an electrical connector plug therein,two slideable grooved latches mounted on two opposite sides of thechassis, that slide along the two opposite sides under applied force,two springs fastened to respective ones of the two slideable latches,mounted on the two opposite sides of the chassis, a bar mounted betweenthe two slideable latches, and a receptacle for the connector plug,mounted on the bar and including a plurality of contact pins forelectrical contact with the connector plug, wherein (i) the twoslideable latches are pushed away from respective ones of the twosprings, causing the two springs to stretch and to exert tensionsthereon, when the connector plug is pushed into the receptacle, and (ii)the two slideable latches are pulled towards respective ones of thesprings, when the connector plug is extracted from the receptacle.

There is additionally provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention an assembly for a receptacle for an electricalconnector plug, including a chassis for sliding an electrical connectorplug therein, two slideable latches mounted on two opposite sides of thechassis, that slide along the two opposite sides under applied force, abar mounted between the two slideable latches, and a receptacle for theconnector plug mounted on the bar, including a plurality of contact pinsfor making electrical contact with the connector plug, wherein (i) theslideable guides advance along the two opposite surfaces of the chassiswhen the connector plug is pushed into the chassis for insertion intothe receptacle, and (ii) the slideable guides advance and then retractalong the two opposite sides of the chassis when the connector plug ispushed into the chassis for extraction from the receptacle.

There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a system including a device including an electricalconnector plug, and a container for the device including a housing witha cavity for inserting the device therein, two moveable latches mountedin the housing, that move relative to the housing under applied force, abar mounted between the two slideable latches, and a receptacle for theconnector plug, mounted on the bar, including a plurality of contactpins for making electrical contact with the connector plug, wherein (i)the slideable latches advance to allow the device to sit fully withinthe cavity when the device is pushed into the container for insertion ofthe connector plug into the receptacle, and (ii) the slideable latchesadvance and retract such that the device extends out of the cavity andmay be pulled for release from the receptacle when the device is pushedinto the housing for extraction of the connector plug from thereceptacle.

There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention an assembly for a receptacle for an electricalconnector plug, including a chassis, and a receptacle mounted within thechassis that moves relative to the chassis into a locked position inresponse to an electrical connector plug being pushed into the chassisfor insertion into the receptacle, and that moves relative to thechassis into a rest position in response to the electrical connectorplug being pushed into the chassis for extraction from the receptacle,wherein the rest position is different than the locked position relativeto the chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified generic block diagram of a miniature deviceconnected to a container, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of a communication systemconstructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a miniature wireless communicator beinginserted into a jacket or host, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are mechanical drawings of an embodiment of a miniaturewireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a miniature connector plug, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are mechanical drawings of an embodiment of a jacket orhost in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a miniature receptacle, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of a device being inserted into andextracted from a container, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram of a grooved latch that controls movementof a slideable bar, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the slideable bar in its rest state withina chassis, prior to insertion of the device, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of insertion of the device into the chassis,prior to the connector plug being engaged with the receptacle, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the device pushed into the chassis, withthe connector plug engaged with the receptacle, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an illustration of the latch locked into place by the clip,and the slideable bar in its locked stationary position, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of extraction of the device from the chassis,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sequence of illustrations of the device (i) being pushedinto the chassis for insertion, then (ii) being locked into its lockedstationary position, then (iii) being pushed into the chassis forextraction, then (iv) being pulled out for disengagement, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the receptacle is connected to an array of wiresinstead of to a flex, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a miniature electricalconnector plug for an electronic device, and a receptacle therefor. Aminiature electrical connector plug is set into a surface of anelectronic device, and a receptacle is mounted into a container chassis.Due to its small size, the miniature connector plug may not have thenecessary slack length for use with a conventional push-pushinsert/eject mechanism, whereby the connector plug must be pushed intothe chassis beyond its locked engaged position in order to fullydisengage the connector plug with pins in the receptacle.

To overcome this limitation, embodiments of the present inventionintroduce a receptacle mounted on a slideable bar that has twostationary positions. The first stationary position, a locked position,is attained after the electronic device is pushed into the housing ofthe receptacle for insertion of the connector plug into the receptacle.The second stationary position, a rest position, is attained after thedevice is again pushed into the housing of the receptacle for extractionof the connector plug from the receptacle. When the bar is in the restposition the connector plug is still attached to and in electricalcontact with the receptacle, but the miniature device extends outsideout of the housing for the receptacle, enabling one to grasp and pullthe device, and thereby free the connector plug from the receptacle.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments ofthe present invention have widespread application to an unlimitedvariety of electronic devices that connect to one another; e.g., smallcommunication cards that attach to computers, small memory cards thatattach to cameras or to cell phones or game stations, and small camerasthat attach to personal digital assistants (PDAs).

Reference is made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified generic block diagramof a miniature device 100 connected to a container 200, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Device 100 has a miniatureconnector plug 105, and container 200 has a receptacle 205 for connectorplug 105. Device 100 may be inter alia a communication card, a memorycard or a camera. Container 200 may be inter alia a computer, a camera,a cell phone, a game station or a PDA.

In an embodiment of the present invention, receptacle 205 is mounted ona slideable bar 210 inside of container 200, which has two stationarypositions. When slideable bar 210 is in the first stationary position, alocked position, device 100 is substantially enclosed by container 200.When slideable bar 210 is in the second stationary position, a restposition, device 100 protrudes out of container 200. In the restposition, connector plug 105 is still engaged and in electrical contactwith receptacle 205, and a person can grasp and pull device 100 to freeconnector plug 105 from receptacle 205, as indicated in FIG. 1. Theportion of device 100 protruding out of container 200 is indicated byarea BCDE in FIG. 1. For the embodiment of the present invention tomodular wireless communicators described hereinbelow, the length BC ison the order of 8 mm, which is sufficient for grasping by a person.Mechanical structures for implementing slideable bar 210 and its chassisin container 200 are described in detail below with reference to FIGS.9-16.

In one embodiment, the present invention applies to a small modularwireless communicator that attaches to container devices. There are twogeneral types of container devices to which the wireless communicatormay be attached; namely, “jackets” and “hosts”. A jacket is a devicethat provides a user interface for the wireless communicator, enrichesthe capabilities of the wireless communicator, and is not able tooperate independently when the wireless communicator is not connectedthereto. A host is a device that is able to operate independently whenthe wireless communicator is not attached thereto, and whosecapabilities are enriched by the wireless communicator when the wirelesscommunicator is attached thereto. Generally a host does not havecommunication functionality independent of the wireless communicator.

Reference is made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified illustration of acommunication system constructed and operative in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 2 are a variety ofwireless communicators 100 a-100 c, including 2.5 G communicators for aGSM network, 3 G communicators for a GSM network, and CDMA communicatorsfor a CDMA network. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the networks illustrated in FIG. 2 are exemplary of a wide varietyof networks and communication protocols that are supported by thewireless communicators of the present invention, such networks andcommunication protocols including inter alia WiFi, Bluetooth and WiMax.

Also shown in FIG. 2 are a variety of jackets and hosts 200 a-200 h. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each wirelesscommunicator 100 a-100 c may be attached to any of the jackets and hosts200 a-200 h, so as to operate in combination therewith. The wirelesscommunicators 100 a-100 c are substantially of the same form factor and,as such, are able to be attached to the various jackets and hosts 200a-200 h.

Reference is made to FIG. 3, which is an illustration of a miniaturewireless communicator 100 being inserted into a jacket or host 200, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Jacket or host200 as shown in FIG. 3 includes a hollow cavity at the top for insertionof wireless communicator 100 therein.

Reference is made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are mechanical drawings ofan embodiment of wireless communicator 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator 100 isminiature; in one embodiment, its dimensions are approximately 72 mm×38mm×8 mm. Use of the present invention achieves a reduction in length ofwireless communicator 100, on the order of 3 mm or more. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that the present invention is of advantagewhen wireless communicator 100 is manufactured with other dimensions, aswell.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, wireless communicator 100 includesminiature connector plug 105, which attaches to receptacle 205.Reference is made to FIG. 5, which is an illustration of connector plug105, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thespecific connector plug shown in FIG. 5 includes a 24-pin proprietaryconnector, labeled 31, and also includes a 5-pin mini-USB connector,labeled J2.

Reference is made to FIGS. 6A and 6B, which are mechanical drawings ofan embodiment of a jacket or host 200 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6B, jacket or host 200 includes miniature receptacle205 for connector plug 105. Reference is made to FIG. 7, which is anillustration of receptacle 205 and its contact pins, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. Receptacle 205 generally engagesthe 24-pin connector J1 of connector plug 105, and not the 5-pinconnector J2.

The ensuing description refers generically to a first device 100 havinga connector plug 105, which attaches to a container 200 having areceptacle 205 for connector plug 105. Device 100 may be, inter alia, awireless communicator as described hereinabove, a small memory card or asmall camera. Container 200 may be, inter alia, a jacket or host for thewireless communicator as described hereinabove, a computer, a cellphone, a camera, a game station or a PDA.

Reference is made to FIG. 8, which is a simplified illustration ofdevice 100 being inserted into and extracted from container 200, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 8are device 100 and container 200 with a slideable bar 210 that slidesforward and back within container 200. Device 100 has a connector plugthat engages with a receptacle mounted on slideable bar 210. In order toelectrically connect device 100 and container 200, the connector plugmust engage with contact pins of the receptacle.

Four stages are illustrated in FIG. 8; namely, a first stage prior toinsertion of device 100 into container 200, a second stage duringinsertion of device 100 into container 200, a third stage afterinsertion of device 100 into container 200, and a fourth stage duringextraction of device 100 from container 200. In the first stage,slideable bar 210 is at rest in a retracted position. The first stage isfurther illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, as described hereinbelow.

In the second stage, slideable bar 210 is advanced far into container200, in response to device 100 being pushed into container 200. Thesecond stage is further illustrated in FIG. 12, as describedhereinbelow.

In the third stage, slideable bar 210 has retracted somewhat and islocked in an advanced position. The third stage is further illustratedin FIG. 13, as described hereinbelow.

In the fourth stage, slideable bar 210 is at rest in the retractedposition again, and device 100 protrudes outside of container 200. Inthe fourth stage, the connector plug is still engaged with the contactpins of the receptacle. However, device 100 protrudes far enough out ofcontainer 200 such that it can be grasped and pulled out of container200, thereby disengaging the connector plug from the contact pins of thereceptacle. The fourth stage is further illustrated in FIG. 14, asdescribed hereinbelow.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are twostationary positions for slideable bar 210; namely, the rest position instages one and four, and the locked position in stage three. Theposition in stage two is not a stationary position, and shows slideablebar 210 pushed into container 200 beyond its locked position. As soon asdevice 100 stops being pushed, slideable bar 210 retracts to its lockedposition. When slideable bar 210 in its locked position, device 100 doesnot substantially protrude out of container 200. When slideable bar 210is in its rest position, device 100 protrudes out of container 200 suchthat it can be grasped and pulled.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that whereasconventional connector plugs and receptacles are rigidly fixed,slideable bar 210 provides a “floating” receptacle. A mechanicalstructure for enabling the floating receptacle, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, includes two latches, two springsfor applying tensions to the latches, two clips for locking the latchesinto place, and means for electrically connecting the receptacle pins toan electrical circuit while accommodating movement of the receptacle, asdescribed hereinbelow.

Reference is made to FIG. 9, which is a simplified diagram of a groovedlatch 215 that controls movement of slideable bar 210, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. As shown below in FIGS.10-14, a clip is used to lock latch 215 into place, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. The end of the clip extends at aright angle into the grooves of latch 215, and catches on the contoursof the grooves. When device 100 is pushed into container 200, latch 215is pushed accordingly, and the contours of the grooves of the latch abutagainst the clip, raising and lowering the end of the clip.

Two such latches 215 and two such clips are mounted on two oppositesides of the housing, and slideable bar 210 is mounted between the twolatches. When latches 215 are pushed forward, they advance alongside ofthe clips. The clips remain in rigid positions, but tilt at an angle dueto the raising and lowering of the ends of the clips by the contours ofthe grooves in latches 215.

Shown in FIG. 9 are seven locations on latch 215, numbered 1-7. Theselocations correspond to positions of the end of the clip when device 100is inserted in container 200 and extracted therefrom. The first stage ofFIG. 8 corresponds to the end of the clip being located at position 1.The second stage of FIG. 8 occurs when device 100 is pushed intocontainer 200 for insertion. Latch 215 is pushed accordingly so that theend of the clip is raised to position 2, and then to position 3. Thethird stage of FIG. 8 occurs when the push force on device 100 isreleased, and latch 215 retracts so that the end of the clip lodges andlocks at position 4, which is a locked stationary position. The fourthstage of FIG. 8 occurs when device 100 is pushed into container 200 forextraction. Latch 215 is pushed accordingly so that the end of the clipis lowered to position 5. When the push force on device 100 is released,latch 215 retracts and the end of the clip moves to position 6 and thento position 7 and then up to position 1, which is a stationary restposition. When the end of the clip rests at position 1, device 100protrudes out of container 200, and can then be grasped and pulledcompletely out of container 200.

As noted hereinabove with respect to FIG. 8, slideable bar 210 has twostationary positions; namely, a locked state corresponding to the end ofthe clip being lodged at position 4 of latch 215, and a rest statecorresponding to the end of clip 225 being at position 1 of latch 215.

Reference is made to FIG. 10, which is an illustration of slideable bar210 in its rest state within a chassis 250, prior to insertion of device100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thechassis 250 for the wireless communicator shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B isapproximately 43 mm wide and 9 mm deep.

Chassis 250 holds two grooved latches 215, two springs 220 and two clips225 mounted on opposite sides. The two springs 220 attach to respectiveones of latches 215, and the two clips 225 lodge in grooves ofrespective ones of latches 225 to lock them into place. When device 100is pushed into container 200, latches 215 are pushed accordingly andmove to the various positions relative to clip 225 shown in FIG. 9.

Receptacle 205 is attached to a flex 230, which connects the contactpins of receptacle 205 to a printed circuit board (PCB) that is fastenedto container 200. Flex 230 accommodates movement back and forth ofreceptacle 205.

Reference is made to FIG. 11, which is an illustration of insertion ofdevice 100 into chassis 250, prior to connector plug 105 being engagedwith receptacle 205, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 11 shows device 100 being pushed into chassis 250, alongthe direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 10. Latches 215 are pushedtowards clips 225 accordingly. At the stage illustrated in FIG. 11, theends of clips 225 are at position 1 of latches 215, as indicated in FIG.9, and connector plug 105 is not yet engaged with receptacle 205.

Reference is made to FIG. 12, which is an illustration of device 100pushed into chassis 250 with connector plug 105 engaged with receptacle205, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Asdevice 100 is pushed, latch 215 moves so that clip 225 is at position 2and then at position 3, as indicated in FIG. 9. Whereas clip 225 ishorizontally aligned with chassis 250 in FIG. 11, clip 225 is inclinedat an angle in FIG. 12.

Reference is made to FIG. 13, which is an illustration of latch 215locked into place by clip 225, and slideable bar 210 in its lockedstationary position, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. When the pushing force on device 100 is released, latch 215retracts under tension of spring 220, and the end of clip 225 lodgesinto a groove of latch 215, locking it into place. The end of clip 225is at position 4 of latch 215, as indicated in FIG. 9, and is inclinedat an angle.

Reference is made to FIG. 14, which is an illustration of extraction ofdevice 100 from chassis 250, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Device 100 is pushed into chassis 250 so that latch215 moves and the end of clip 225 is released from its lodged positionin the groove of latch 215. The end of clip 225 is then at position 5 oflatch 215. When the pushing force on device 100 is released, latch 215retracts under tension of spring 220, and the end of clip 225 moves toposition 6 and then to position 7 of the latch. Connector plug 105 isstill engaged and in electrical contact with receptacle 205, but device100 protrudes out of chassis 250, making it possible to grasp and pullon device 100 and thereby disengage connector plug 105 from receptacle205.

Reference is made to FIG. 15, which is a sequence of illustrations ofdevice 100 (i) being pushed into chassis 250 for insertion, then (ii)being locked into its locked stationary position, then (iii) beingpushed into chassis 250 for extraction, then (iv) being pulled out fordisengagement, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Reference is made to FIG. 16, which is an illustration of an alternateembodiment of the present invention, wherein receptacle 205 is connectedto an array of wires 240 instead of to flex 230, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. As receptacle 205 advances andretracts, it slides forward and back along wires 240 all the whilemaintaining electrical contact between the pins of receptacles 205 andthe PCB of container 200.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the“push-to-insert, push-to-eject and pull-to-extract” embodiment of thepresent invention offers many advantages. It yields reduction in lengthof device 100. It allows for continued operation of devices 100 and 200during ejection, since connector plug 105 is still engaged withreceptacle 205 during the “push-to-eject” movement. It also provides anearly warning that the user is removing device 100 from device 200,prior to the “pull-to-extract” movement.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to thespecific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1.-13. (canceled)
 14. An assembly for a receptacle for an electricalconnector plug, comprising: a chassis; and a receptacle mounted withinsaid chassis that moves relative to the chassis into a locked positionin response to an electrical connector plug being pushed into saidchassis for insertion into the receptacle, and that moves relative tothe chassis into a rest position in response to the electrical connectorplug being pushed into said chassis for extraction from the receptacle,wherein the rest position is different than the locked position relativeto the chassis, and wherein the electrical connector plug iselectrically coupled to the receptacle after being pushed into saidchassis when the receptacle moves into the rest position, and afterbeing pushed into said chassis when the receptacle moves into the lockedposition.
 15. The assembly of claim 14 further comprising aspring-loaded locking mechanism for locking said receptacle into thelocked position.
 16. The assembly of claim 15 further comprising a barmounted between two sides of said chassis and coupled with saidspring-loaded locking mechanism, that advances along the two sides ofthe chassis in response to the electrical connector plug being pushedinto said chassis for insertion into said receptacle, and that advancesand then retracts along the two sides of the chassis, under tension ofsaid spring-loaded mechanism, in response to the electrical connectorplug being pushed into said chassis for extraction from said receptacle.17.-20. (canceled)
 21. The assembly of claim 14 wherein said receptaclecomprises contact pins, the assembly further comprising a flexibleprinted circuit for connect said contact pins to a printed circuit boardwhen said receptacle is in the rest position and when said receptacle isin the locked position.
 22. An apparatus, comprising: a chassis havingan opening into which an electrical component is insertable; means forcoupling to the electrical component, the means for coupling slidablymovable, relative to the chassis, in a first direction generally awayfrom the opening, and in a second direction generally toward theopening: to a first position in response to force in the first directionexerted upon the means for coupling; and to a second position inresponse to force in the first direction exerted upon the means forcoupling when the means for coupling is in the first position, whereinthe first position is different, with respect to the chassis, than thesecond position.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the means forcoupling comprises a receptacle for a connector plug of the electricalcomponent, the receptacle being slidably movable relative to thechassis.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said receptacle comprisescontact pins, the apparatus further comprising a flexible printedcircuit for connecting said contact pins to a printed circuit board whensaid means for coupling is in the first position and when said means forcoupling is in the second position.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23comprising: two spring-loaded latches; and a bar physically coupled withsaid receptacle and mounted between said two spring-loaded latches. 26.The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the electrical component, when coupledwith said means for coupling, is fully inserted into said chassis whensaid means for electrically coupling is in the first position.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 22 wherein the electrical component, when coupledwith said means for coupling, protrudes from said chassis when saidmeans for electrically coupling is in the second position.
 28. Theapparatus of claim 22 wherein the electrical component is a wirelesscommunicator.
 29. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the electricalcomponent is a memory card.
 30. An apparatus, comprising: a chassishaving an opening into which an electrical component is insertable;means for coupling to the electrical component, the means for couplingslidably movable, relative to the chassis, in a first directiongenerally away from the opening, to a first position and, in a seconddirection generally toward the opening, to a second position, whereinthe first position is different, with respect to the chassis, than thesecond position, and wherein said electrical component, whenelectrically coupled with said means for coupling when said means forcoupling is in the first position, remains electrically coupledtherewith when said means for coupling moves from the first position tothe second position.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the meansfor coupling comprises a receptacle for a connector plug of theelectrical component, the receptacle being slidably movable relative tothe chassis.
 32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said receptaclecomprises contact pins, the apparatus further comprising a flexibleprinted circuit for connecting said contact pins to a printed circuitboard when said means for coupling is in the first position and whensaid means for coupling is in the second position.
 33. The apparatus ofclaim 31 further comprising: two spring-loaded latches; and a barphysically coupled with said receptacle and mounted between said twospring-loaded latches.
 34. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein theelectrical component, when coupled with said means for coupling, isfully inserted into said chassis when said means for coupling is in thefirst position.
 35. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the electricalcomponent, when coupled with said means for coupling, protrudes fromsaid chassis when said means for coupling is in the second position. 36.The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the electrical component is a wirelesscommunicator.
 37. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the electricalcomponent is a memory card.